[BB_Eye]

What about all the people who just wrote in to complain about their stupid policy which, lets face it, probably made up most of those 900 e-mails.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Welcome to Tolerance Towers. Rule 1: No tolerance

If you run a boarding house in 2010, at some stage you must expect a same-sex couple to check in for the night.

So Susanne Wilkinson was wrong to turn away John Morgan and Michael Black from her B&B in Wokingham because homosexuality offends her devout Christian beliefs.

After all, it's not very Christian telling travellers there's no room at the inn.
Michael Black (left) and John Morgan were turned away from Susanne Wilkinson B&B because allowing a same-sex couple to stay was 'against her convictions'

Michael Black (left) and John Morgan were turned away from Susanne Wilkinson's B&B because allowing a same-sex couple to stay was 'against her convictions'

Perhaps if her advert had emphasised 'run by devout Christian' (Rule one, No Poofters), John and Michael may have taken the hint and booked in somewhere else.

Why stay where you're not welcome? I certainly wouldn't check into a temperance hotel.

But this is where it gets out of hand. The police are now investigating Mrs Wilkinson and she's been deluged with hate mail from homosexual fundamentalists.

Threatening to burn someone's house down isn't very Christian either.

Mrs Wilkinson was in the wrong. She's probably in the wrong business.

But prosecuting someone for holding sincere Christian convictions and making violent threats against her proves yet again that in New Labour's Britain tolerance is a one-way street.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/ar...#ixzz0jGyXnZjG

[Wildcat!]

IN my opinion, I dont see the problem in them turning away that couple, because of their convictions and beliefs. If they believe that lifestyle is wrong, they have the right to do so. Call them homophobes if you like, they are just that, but I think they should be allowed to do so. Its getting out of hand now how people arent allowed to teach their children their religious values, especially in their own home. Granted its a business, but its still a guest house. They have to live there, their kids live there.

IF it was a hotel, I would feel differently about it, but a B&B is a completely different thing. I wouldnt want to go in there if I am not welcome in the first place. My problem is, they already accepted the couple, therefore, they should honor the reservation at that point. Sprinkle it with holy water or whatever afterwards. But it was too late, after they already booked them, and let them come all the way. Who knows how far they drove. And they dont know if they can find other accommodations.

So if I have those convictions, knowing that being homosexual isnt very rare or illegal, I would make it a point to ask who the guests are, before booking anyone. Like I said, Homophobia might be wrong to some, but its not illegal. same with racism, it might be wrong, but it isnt illegal.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by Wildcat!

IN my opinion, I dont see the problem in them turning away that couple, because of their convictions and beliefs. If they believe that lifestyle is wrong, they have the right to do so. Call them homophobes if you like, they are just that, but I think they should be allowed to do so. Its getting out of hand now how people arent allowed to teach their children their religious values, especially in their own home. Granted its a business, but its still a guest house. They have to live there, their kids live there.

IF it was a hotel, I would feel differently about it, but a B&B is a completely different thing. I wouldnt want to go in there if I am not welcome in the first place. My problem is, they already accepted the couple, therefore, they should honor the reservation at that point. Sprinkle it with holy water or whatever afterwards. But it was too late, after they already booked them, and let them come all the way. Who knows how far they drove. And they dont know if they can find other accommodations.

So if I have those convictions, knowing that being homosexual isnt very rare or illegal, I would make it a point to ask who the guests are, before booking anyone. Like I said, Homophobia might be wrong to some, but its not illegal. same with racism, it might be wrong, but it isnt illegal.

great post

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Wildcat!

IN my opinion, I dont see the problem in them turning away that couple, because of their convictions and beliefs. If they believe that lifestyle is wrong, they have the right to do so. Call them homophobes if you like, they are just that, but I think they should be allowed to do so. Its getting out of hand now how people arent allowed to teach their children their religious values, especially in their own home. Granted its a business, but its still a guest house. They have to live there, their kids live there.

IF it was a hotel, I would feel differently about it, but a B&B is a completely different thing. I wouldnt want to go in there if I am not welcome in the first place. My problem is, they already accepted the couple, therefore, they should honor the reservation at that point. Sprinkle it with holy water or whatever afterwards. But it was too late, after they already booked them, and let them come all the way. Who knows how far they drove. And they dont know if they can find other accommodations.

So if I have those convictions, knowing that being homosexual isnt very rare or illegal, I would make it a point to ask who the guests are, before booking anyone. Like I said, Homophobia might be wrong to some, but its not illegal. same with racism, it might be wrong, but it isnt illegal.

It is however illiegal for them to turn them away because of their sexuality which is what they did.

[Wildcat!]

I dont know about this country, but I lived most of my life in the US. DOnt you have a law that says "I reserve the right to refuse service to anyone, without giving any reasons"?

I know its a thing in the US for any businesses. If you provide a service, you have the right to refuse anyone you want, and dont have to say why! Is it not like that here?

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by Wildcat!

I dont know about this country, but I lived most of my life in the US. DOnt you have a law that says "I reserve the right to refuse service to anyone, without giving any reasons"?

I know its a thing in the US for any businesses. If you provide a service, you have the right to refuse anyone you want, and dont have to say why! Is it not like that here?

yes you can if you have good cause, like pubs in Glasgow do not serve people with football colours on during match days.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

yes you can if you have good cause, like pubs in Glasgow do not serve people with football colours on during match days.

Yeah but "I don't like who you're sleeping with" isn't good cause, it's discrimination in the eyes of the law. Like someone else pointed out already, If they had half a brain between them the should have said, Oh we're double booked opsy!

[Shasown]

Originally Posted by Wildcat!

IN my opinion, I dont see the problem in them turning away that couple, because of their convictions and beliefs. If they believe that lifestyle is wrong, they have the right to do so. Call them homophobes if you like, they are just that, but I think they should be allowed to do so. Its getting out of hand now how people arent allowed to teach their children their religious values, especially in their own home. Granted its a business, but its still a guest house. They have to live there, their kids live there.

IF it was a hotel, I would feel differently about it, but a B&B is a completely different thing. I wouldnt want to go in there if I am not welcome in the first place. My problem is, they already accepted the couple, therefore, they should honor the reservation at that point. Sprinkle it with holy water or whatever afterwards. But it was too late, after they already booked them, and let them come all the way. Who knows how far they drove. And they dont know if they can find other accommodations.

So if I have those convictions, knowing that being homosexual isnt very rare or illegal, I would make it a point to ask who the guests are, before booking anyone. Like I said, Homophobia might be wrong to some, but its not illegal. same with racism, it might be wrong, but it isnt illegal.

Why have you dragged children into the debate? Why bring in emotive issues?

The guest house owners were running a business, therefore they have to follow laws that are applicable to that business. One of which just happens to state it is illegal for businesses to discriminate on the grounds of sexual preference.

Its okay for them to receive tax relief on all sorts of different items, including the TV, computer equipment, possibly their car, food they buy etc. electricity may have been bought at the commercial as opposed to domestic rates(lot cheaper). In fact they, by turning their home into a business, receive a lot of perks. You would soon hear them whine if the tax man said you arent eligible for rebate of tax on business items on the grounds you arent following the applicable business laws.

Would your attitude be the same if they had turned away a coloured couple on the grounds they didnt allow coloured people into their home? Or a Jewish couple on the grounds that the Jews crucified Christ?

[Wildcat!]

Originally Posted by Niamhxo

Yeah but "I don't like who you're sleeping with" isn't good cause, it's discrimination in the eyes of the law. Like someone else pointed out already, If they had half a brain between them the should have said, Oh we're double booked opsy!

So youre not allowed to say, "I reserve the right to refuse service to anyone"! YOu have to always give a reason. COrrect?

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Wildcat!

So youre not allowed to say, "I reserve the right to refuse service to anyone"! YOu have to always give a reason. COrrect?

Well, if you booked and paid for a room and then when you arrived were told, no you can't stay here, wouldn't you feel entitled to know why? I know I would!

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by Niamhxo

Well, if you booked and paid for a room and then when you arrived were told, no you can't stay here, wouldn't you feel entitled to know why? I know I would!

It was because you were Irish and may get drunk and start a fight.

[Wildcat!]

Originally Posted by Shasown

Why have you dragged children into the debate? Why bring in emotive issues?

The guest house owners were running a business, therefore they have to follow laws that are applicable to that business. One of which just happens to state it is illegal for businesses to discriminate on the grounds of sexual preference.

Its okay for them to receive tax relief on all sorts of different items, including the TV, computer equipment, possibly their car, food they buy etc. electricity may have been bought at the commercial as opposed to domestic rates(lot cheaper). In fact they, by turning their home into a business, receive a lot of perks. You would soon hear them whine if the tax man said you arent eligible for rebate of tax on business items on the grounds you arent following the applicable business laws.

Would your attitude be the same if they had turned away a coloured couple on the grounds they didnt allow coloured people into their home? Or a Jewish couple on the grounds that the Jews crucified Christ?

Relax max! Its just my opinion! I am questioning the law! And yes my attitude would be the same if it was regarding any of the cases you stated. I still think being their home business, they should be allowed to refuse anyone. Like I said, its my opinion on the matter, Discrimination will only hurt their business anyways, so its their prerogative. They will lose a big portion of possible clients. Too bad for them. BUt i woulnt want to force them to have guest that they dont want. Again, its what |I believe in! Obviously, its not what the law says.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

It was because you were Irish and may get drunk and start a fight.

Hey, people in glass houses.....Scottish man

[Wildcat!]

Originally Posted by Niamhxo

Well, if you booked and paid for a room and then when you arrived were told, no you can't stay here, wouldn't you feel entitled to know why? I know I would!

Thats why I ask, because in the US, you dont have to say why! YOu just give them a note that states the law, and thats it!

Here me out now. What if it was someone you dont like? Someone lets say, who your ex wife cheated on you with, and is now married to her! I am stating an extreme case obviously. BUt youre supposed to not be able to refuse that person service right?

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Wildcat!

Thats why I ask, because in the US, you dont have to say why! YOu just give them a note that states the law, and thats it!

Here me out now. What if it was someone you dont like? Someone lets say, who your ex wife cheated on you with, and is now married to her! I am stating an extreme case obviously. BUt youre supposed to not be able to refuse that person service right?

Well I'm female so I'll change that senario to husband haha, I'd probably stab her in the eye for having the cheek to first steal my husband and then want me to provide her food and shelter haha.

Seriously though, you would think if you were in a situation where you didn't want the person to stay for a reason that may be questionable in the eyes of the law that you'd have the cop on to lie and say you had double booked the room or something!

[Wildcat!]

Yeah, I agree! The law is the law after all! I am only questioning its validity! Obviously if it was me, I would give them some bogus reason, peole do it all the time, to refuse anyone they dont like for one reason or another. They do it when you want to rent an apartment! Even if they think youre not good looking they might tell you the room is already taken, when its not!

[Shasown]

Originally Posted by Wildcat!

Relax max! Its just my opinion! I am questioning the law! And yes my attitude would be the same if it was regarding any of the cases you stated. I still think being their home business, they should be allowed to refuse anyone. Like I said, its my opinion on the matter, Discrimination will only hurt their business anyways, so its their prerogative. They will lose a big portion of possible clients. Too bad for them. BUt i woulnt want to force them to have guest that they dont want. Again, its what |I believe in! Obviously, its not what the law says.

Thing is the owners were stupid, it may be their house and if they had an alternative excuse for such situations then I would say fair dos, however that isnt what happened. By refusing service with the excuse they gave they broke the law.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by Shasown

Thing is the owners were stupid, it may be their house and if they had an alternative excuse for such situations then I would say fair dos, however that isnt what happened. By refusing service with the excuse they gave they broke the law.

They were not stupid they were honest.

[Crimson Dynamo]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...lesbian-bishop

read the comments at the end of the article between the writer and East coast. quite interesting.

[Shasown]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

They were not stupid they were honest.

No they were stupid, not only have they left themselves open to litigation they have also risked their business.

[Crimson Dynamo]

Originally Posted by Shasown

No they were stupid, not only have they left themselves open to litigation they have also risked their business.

Perhaps they value truth above those things.

[Shasown]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

Perhaps they value truth above those things.

Thats possible, but its not the ideal mindset in order to run a successful business, is it? Look at the abuse they have received. Hopefully for them, no one will carry out any of the threats or start any form of vendetta against them. But you never know there are some idiots out there who may.

[Crimson Dynamo]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...cret-tape.html

[Shasown]

Originally Posted by LeatherTrumpet

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...cret-tape.html

Its his own opinion, he is entitled to it, frankly there is a fair and valid point to people being allowed to follow their own beliefs, however for that to happen the law needs to be changed, at the moment the law doesnt differentiate between hotels and B&B's.

I wonder if this hotel has a problem with gays sleeping together?

http://www.brighton-mh-hotel.co.uk/index.asp